Behind the scenes with Olympic freestyle skiers on media day

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March 27, 2014

“Did they just have a full day of appearances? I see them everywhere in the media,” was the text message I received from a friend early Thursday morning.

The answer is yes.

On Wednesday, the Dufour-Lapointe sisters Maxime, Chloé and Justine along with Mikaël Kingsbury – all Olympic freestyle skiers in moguls – hit the media circuit in Toronto. Very much in demand, the day ranged from radio to television with a sprinkling of fashion and video games. It was busy and eventful with familiar Canadian faces eager to have a moment with the Olympic medallists.

Here’s a glimpse into media day with the Olympians.

TSN 1050 Radio

After leaving the hotel before 7 a.m. the group’s first stop was the CTV studios in the northeast area of Toronto, home to TSN 1050 Radio.

Maxime in the first of nearly a dozen media interviews during the day.

Mikaël’s mother Julie made the drive from Montreal.

Chloé (left) and Justine in the booth.

On the set of Mike Richards in the Morning at TSN 1050 Radio.

A little vandalism encouraged.

CTV Canada AM

Staying inside the massive CTV complex, their first national TV appearance of the day came just after 8 a.m. on CTV Canada AM.

Canada AM real estate expert Sandra Rinomato takes the opportunity to get a picture with the Olympians.

Justine takes the chair.

A slight touch up for Mikael.

The group waiting to go on camera.

Host Marci Ien before the national interview.

OTR

Trekking to the other side of CTV studios, the land of TSN, where they film the popular sports talk show OTR. Acronyms FTW.

Mikaël tries out an intro as the host of “Family Feud” – Dufour-Lapointe style.

One of the Dufour-Lapointe intro takes for “Family Feud.”

eTalk

From Scarborough the Olympians navigated through Toronto traffic, heading back downtown. Next meeting was with Canadian fashion icon Jeanne Beker for a segment on eTalk. With an eye to their own fashion ambitions, the Dufour-Lapointe sisters proved ideal candidates to whom Beker can impart her wisdom.

The sisters chat fashion and style with Beker prior to their eTalk interview.

After a frantic five-minute shopping spree, the girls each design their ideal red carpet look.

Chloe chooses accessories for her red carpet outfit.

Maxime gets tips on her red carpet choice from Beker.

Beker melts at Justine’s Olympic gold medal.

Meanwhile, down the way on Queen Street West Mikaël rocks out with Guitar Hero for a separate eTalk segment.

Mikaël has won three straight overall points world titles in moguls to go with his Olympic silver medal.

With his Olympic silver medal and six Crystal Globes, Mikaël has his mom Julie to thank for lugging these to Toronto from Montreal.

Ryerson & City of Toronto

A Montreal Canadiens fan, Mikaël had a healthy interest in visiting the former Maple Leaf Gardens. Once home to Canadiens rival Maple Leafs, the building is now a sports facility for Ryerson University. Once there the Olympians received a scroll from the City of Toronto via deputy mayor Norm Kelly and keeping with the hockey theme, a chance encounter for Mikaël.

George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight

From one Canadian institution to another, at the CBC building the skiers gave several interviews in French and English for TV and radio. Then the pièce de résistance, a taping of George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight (which will air another night, update will be provided via Twitter when confirmed), for the Dufour-Lapointe sisters.

You never know who you’ll run into at the CBC building. In this case, home improvement expert and TV host Mike Holmes.

The host pokes his head in for a quick chat with Chloé and co.

The walk to the set.

Getting ready for their intro, the Olympians wait behind the curtain on set.

The mandatory selfie with Strombo.

A more formal photo with their host this time.

Fans

After 12 hours of interviews in both official languages, makeup touches, green room snacks, photo ops and traveling from one part of the city to the next, the Olympians headed to their most important part of the day, meeting with young skiers from Ontario who look up to these idols for athletic inspiration. But first, autograph seekers.

Autograph seekers await Chloé and the group as they exit the CBC building.

Maxime, the left handed sister.

Justine autographs one of the famous podium photos from Sochi 2014.

Justine with a future Olympic hopeful at the dinner with young Ontario skiers.

Mikaël joins the Dufour-Lapointe sisters in signing autographs for potential future Olympians. His mother Julie says he calls kids that look up to him “Young Miks.”

It was a long Wednesday for the four Olympians who hadn’t set foot on Canadian soil in nearly two months. Their final competition will be nationals this weekend in British Columbia. Then it’s a few days at home before they’ll be back training in no time ahead of the next World Cup calendar starting this fall.

History will be made in 2016 when Rio de Janeiro, Brazil hosts the Games of the XXXI Olympiad, marking the first time that a South American country will welcome the world to an Olympic Games. It is also just the third time that the Games will be held in the southern hemisphere, following Melbourne 1956 and Sydney 2000.